Eric Johnson swept through doubles and singles wins today for the Trojans.

April 25, 2014

OJAI, CALIF. -- The No. 1 USC men's tennis team is in position to claim its second Pac-12 Championship in three seasons, taking a spot in the title match in the third edition of the Pac-12's team tournament format for the men's crown. The Trojans beat No. 4 seed California 4-1 today at Libbey Park in Ojai, Calif., and will play in the championship bout tomorrow (April 26) at 4 p.m. USC now holds a 26-2 overall record.

The Trojans rolled up a 3-0 lead on the Golden Bears thanks to a winning effort in doubles and a couple straight-set singles victories. USC's Max de Vroome and Eric Johnson whipped up the first win of the day with an 8-2 decision from court three in doubles before Nick Crystal and Roberto Quiroz hauled in the opening point on an 8-7 tiebreak win on court two over Cal's #85 Goransson/McLachlan. That suspended play for the Trojans' top-ranked Yannick Hanfmann and Ray Sarmiento in a tight one at the No. 1 spot against the #23 Bears Bayane/Melton.

In singles play, #43 Quiroz continued his winning ways with a speedy 6-2, 6-2 win over Filip Bergevi at the No. 3 spot. The win keeps Quiroz chugging along on a 17-match singles win streak. Also in winning form on the day was #13 Hanfmann, who topped Cal's #61 Ben McLachlan 6-2, 7-5 to build that 3-0 Trojan advantage.

The Bears would get on the board when Andre Goransson created some space against USC's #85 Max de Vroome on court four. Goransson grabbed a 7-6 (5), 6-2 win for the Bears to make the score 3-1, but USC's Eric Johnson was on a winning warpath at the No. 5 spot. He turned the tide on Cal's Gregory Bayane, firing back from a first-set loss to claim the clincher for the Trojans on a 1-6, 6-2, 6-1 comeback that sealed the 4-1 decision.

USC will face the winner of this evening semifinal between UCLA and Oregon tomorrow (April 26) at 4 p.m. in the title match.